Revising & Editing Checklist | The Writing Process | Academic Resource Center

Once you’ve finished writing, it is important to go through the process of revision and editing to fine tune your work. Of course, many rubrics at SNHU are valuable checklists to make sure you cover your content or objectives. Using revision and editing checklists can help you keep track of your progress. If any of the steps below are unclear for you, please peruse our College Writing Basics playlist.

Revision is the process of adding, deleting, or rearranging the content of your writing. Revising your paper can make it more focused, detailed, and well-organized. Reread your paper. Then check off the statements that describe your paper. If you are unable to check something off, you’ve identified an area where you may need to do some revision.

1. I reviewed the rubric and included all the requirements of the assignment in my paper.

2. I included a thesis that clearly states my main point for the paper.

Click here for a video on how to revise your thesis with a checklist

3. I added evidence from sources to support my ideas.

4. I cited all the sources that I used with both in-text citations and a reference page/works cited citation.

5. I incorporated my own thoughts/analysis to explain how the evidence supports my thesis.

6. I elaborated on my points and included enough detail about my ideas.

7. I reread the topic sentences of my paragraphs, and they all on-topic and relate to the thesis.

8. My ideas progress logically and are easy to follow.

9. I wrote a conclusion that restated the thesis, and left the readers with a strong, final thought.

10. I used variety in my word choice and replaced overused words using a thesaurus.

Editing (sometimes called “proofreading”) is the process of looking closely at each sentence for mistakes with grammar, spelling and capitalization. Editing your paper can make it clearer and more polished. If you are a bit out of practice with writing, or if English is not your first language, this step is essential! Reread your paper. Then check off the statements that describe your paper. If you are unable to check something off, you’ve identified an area where you may need to do some editing.

11. I started each new paragraph with an indent using the “tab” key.

12. I started each new sentence and proper noun with a capital letter.

13. I used complete sentences throughout my paper.

14. I used a variety of sentence lengths and sentence structures in my writing.

15. I used consistent verb tenses (not a mix of past and present)

16. I used academic third-person point-of-view and removed personal pronouns (unless otherwise instructed)

Click here for a video on Avoiding "I" & Other Personal Pronouns

17. I ended each sentence with a punctuation mark!

18. I used commas in introductory phrases, compound sentences, and lists.

19. I used quotation marks around direct quotations from sources.

20. I used spell check to ensure all words are spelled correctly.

21. My paper is properly formatted.

22. Need more help?

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